Oscar Espinoza greets new students at the Dean's Annual Welcome Back Ice Cream Social. Mason Engineer has more than 20 active student organizations that enhance the student learning experience.
Mason Engineering students enjoyed a scoop of frozen custard while getting the scoop on the school’s student organizations Wednesday afternoon at the annual ice cream social.
Student representatives from about two dozen organizations talked about the benefits of joining their groups, including:
The opportunity to have an impact. Members of Engineers for International Development (EfID) are going to Nicaragua this year to help build low-income housing, says vice president Oscar Espinoza. The organization gives students real-world experiences, and the chance to make a difference, he says.
Help with internships and jobs. “We want to see everyone excel academically and succeed professionally, therefore we help students not only with classes, but we help them get internships and jobs as well,” says Cydney Dennis, president of Mason’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers. The group is open to all science, technology, engineering, and math majors, she says.
Access to career fairs. The American Society of Civil Engineering hosts an annual career fair. This fall representatives from 20 companies will conduct interviews for internships and jobs, says the chapter’s president Rebecca Haataja. “Every year students end up getting hired from our career fair.”
Networking opportunities. Christopher Pertsch, the president of the International Council of Systems Engineering (INCOSE), says members get networking experience, expand their systems engineering skills, and have the chance to earn a professional certification.
Learning from guest speakers. “I love the guest speakers we are able to bring in,” says Katie Selmer, president of the Society of Women Engineers. “We had Mishaal Ashemimry of Mishaal Aerospace come in this semester and share her experience starting her own company and the challenges associated with it. It was really inspirational.”
Students can learn more about student organizations on the Mason Engineering website.